Work

22 (5A) Exploring the association of blood-based biomarkers with repetitive head impact exposure in male collegiate athletes

Year: 2025

Type: conference-abstract

Abstract: Purpose There is a need to better understand the effects of repetitive head impacts (RHI) sustained via contact sport in younger, active athletes. We assessed associations of blood-based biomarkers of peripheral inflammation and neurological injury with metrics of RHI in male collegiate athletes.Methods Male athletes (N=133) completed semi-structured interviews for RHI exposure and a fasting blood draw. Concentrations of inflammatory markers (interleukin (IL)-1RA, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interferon gamma) and neurological markers (neurofilament light (NfL), tau, and glial fibrillar acidic protein) were measured in serum. Linear models tested for group differences in biomarker levels based on current sport (football, non-football contact sport, non-contact sport). Additional models tested associations of biomarkers with years of football experience and years of non-football contact sport experience modeled independently as continuous variables across all athletes. Models accounted for concussion, age, and waist-hip ratio.Results There was a significant effect of current sport on NfL (F(2,123)=3.37, p=0.038); with lower levels in football compared to non-football contact athletes ([MD](SE)=-0.181 (.072), p=.013). There was a significant positive association of years of football exposure with CRP levels when treating years of exposure as continuous measures (B(SE) = .057 (.026), p = .029). There were no other associations of biomarkers with RHI (ps>0.05).Conclusions Overall, this study finds minimal evidence that participation in football or other contact sports is associated with biomarkers of neurological injury or inflammation in active male athletes, with only weak associations with NfL and CRP in differing directions observed.

Source: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine

DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2025-concussion.22

Authors: O Timothy, Benjamin L Brett, Jonathan Savitz, T Kent Teague, Timothy B Meier

Institutions: Medical College of Wisconsin, Laureate Institute for Brain Research, University of Tulsa, University of Oklahoma - Tulsa, University of Oklahoma

Language: English

Topic: Traumatic Brain Injury Research

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,839